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May 19, 2007
Removing Invasive Plant Species at Reflection Riding
Today I attended a seminar on invasive plant species found in Tennessee. The session was held at Reflection Riding Arboretum & Botanical Garden here in Chattanooga. Led by Dr. Richard Clements, A Professor at Chattanooga State Technical Community College, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Exotic Pest Plant Council, this seminar identified about a dozen of the invasive species that are found around the Chattanooga area. After a PowerPoint presentation we headed outside and pulled privet for a couple of hours on the grounds of Reflection Riding.
American Hiking Society is poised to follow the lead set by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and get involved with educating our constituents and members about invasive species. We are also hoping to hold some Volunteer Vacations in 2008 that will involve the eradication of invasive plant species.
For more information about how you can attend an Appalachian Trail Conservancy workshop entitled Invasive/Exotic Plant Identification and Removal, planned for July 11, July 27-28, and September 29-30 in Hot Springs, North Carolina please visit the Appalachian Trail Conservancy website.
In the meantime, you can download an excellent document entitled Nonnative Invasive Plants of Southern Forests: A Field Guide for Identification and Control. (16.9 MB)
Here are some photos taken today at Reflection Riding. Enjoy!
Dr. Richard Clements holding a Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) specimen
Close-up of Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)
Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)
Weed Wrenches - used to remove invasives, roots and all
Using a weed wrench to pull privet
Privet successfully removed!
Some of today's volunteers posing in front of a large pile of privet
After working all morning in poison ivy, Tecnu was used to
cleanse the oils that cause the itchy rash
Conservation | By Jeffrey Hunter | 07:14 PM
